Waistbands are an essential part of any clothing item which sits at the waist level. It provides the necessary grip and holds the garment in place. There are several synonyms for the word waistbands, such as belts, cinches, girdles, obi, cummerbunds, sashes, and corsets. The term "belt" usually refers to a flexible material that goes through a buckle to be secured and often used for pants, dresses or jackets. "Cinches" are typically wider than belts and tend to be worn over a blouse or shirt. "Girdles" are a type of shapewear that provides compression to the waist and midsection. Obi and cummerbunds have a decorative purpose, while sashes are used to accentuate the waist. The corset was a type of garment in the past that had a tradition of compressing the waist.